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Pre-Aslan

My first ‘leading up to baby’ was by far the easiest. I had gotten it in my head that my baby would come late so I wasn’t expecting anything for another couple of weeks when my labor started. Once my slow and steady contractions began, they never stopped! I woke up early on a Saturday, 9 days before my due date, with contractions. They lasted all day, as long as I didn’t distract myself too much or walk too fast. My hubby and I had a very relaxed day, free of distracting thoughts or responsibilities. The only thing we made a point to do was buy a few cloth diaper covers from a consignment store. Everything was exciting and peaceful. We only told my mom that I was having contractions as we didn’t want any pressure to update people with news. We went to bed that night thinking we may have the baby the next day.

I got a good night of sleep, though I believe I had gentle contractions through the night. The next day, we went to church, still in the early stages of labor, still not telling anyone. Contractions slowed with the distraction of church, but they continued. Afterward we walked slowly through town. We watched Napoleon Dynamite at my mom’s house. Driving home, we picked up some wedding photos that we’d finally gotten developed. As I looked through them, contractions slowed, but then they picked up again. In the evening they were getting stronger. I now realize they were nothing yet, but at the time they were the strongest I’d experienced yet. I quit talking through them and took deep breaths, and so we called the midwife. She came over and watched a milder contraction (because I was distracted with her there). She thought that she should tell me to take a bath and go to bed. Then she did an exam. I was 7 cm! She was shocked and so were we! Then, real, hard-work labor began. We took a walk at dusk. As we went down our little street, we called James’ parents. Even the excitement of calling slowed down my contractions for a few minutes, but then they picked up again and we got down to business. Another 13 hours of intense labor and we were holding our baby boy!

Upon waking to contractions, James went out to buy some snacks for everyone.

Finding out we’re at 7 cm, right before the hard work began.

Laboring, sometime in the middle of the night.

He’s here!

In my first labor, I learned that it’s nice to be taken by surprise with labor, instead of going past ‘the right day.’

I learned that my labors start slow and are long and drawn out. I held my baby about 52 hours after my first wakeful contractions, and after 13 hours of hard labor.

I learned that I needed a peaceful atmosphere to labor in. Whenever I got too excited about something, contractions would slow or disappear. I’m so glad we didn’t spread the news far and wide in the early stages!

I learned that I need to concentrate on labor in order to keep it going strong in the beginning stages. The whole ‘going for walks’ thing helped me only if I walked S L O W L Y. If I sped up, contractions would slow down.

I know that now that I’m a mother with little ones to care for, things will never quite be the same as that first time. I do hope though that I can intentionally set up that peaceful environment again.

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One Response

You’re a rockstar Brianna! That’s a super long labor! Great perspective to have. Praying for you in these final days/weeks. Hoping you can have a settled place in your mind and heart to reduce the time of this labor, bless you!